Recreation report: Farmers Branch rec center posts high revenue, board weighs crowding and fee changes

Recreation staff told the Farmers Branch Parks & Recreation Board that membership revenue and program income have climbed since recent renovations, with the department reporting more than $1,000,000 in revenue across the last two years and a current cost‑recovery rate near 89%.

The report detailed revenue lines including membership sales, youth program fees and rentals. "We're at over $1,000,000 in revenue," the recreation manager told the board, adding that youth program revenue exceeded $125,000 and that the department projects about $280,000 in Q4 revenue for certain programs.

Board members raised concerns that the renovated upper floor has made the facility busier, producing crowded peak hours at 5 p.m. and early mornings. Staff said they plan to present a fee schedule update to council in September that will modestly increase nonresident fees and slightly raise resident rates to help manage demand and balance service levels.

Staff described operational responses to capacity pressures: targeted marketing to stagger new members across days and times, modest fee increases for nonresidents to prioritize resident access, and incremental equipment purchases to address members' wish lists.

No new policy was adopted; the board received the report and asked staff to return with any proposed fee changes when they go to council.